Electrical headlight dimmer



1,540,293 K. L. SMILEY ELECTRICAL HEADLIGHT IMME Filed NOY- 24. 1924 R LL v ,3 FIG. 3.

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Patented June 2, 1925.

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KATIE -L. sMILEY, or BELLE :FoURoHE, scorn DAKOTA.

ELECTRIC-AL HEAnIJIGit'r niiviivinn.

Application filed November 2'4, 1924. Seriell "No. 751,936.

device of this character of the utmost simplicity and one whichwill be reliable in operation and economical to construct.

Furtherobjects sandadvantages of the invention willbe set forth in the detailed description which follows:

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical se'e tionof an automobile head light with the reflector proper in elevation.

Figure 2 is a. transverse vertical section through the casing of the head light looking toward the rear of the reflector.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view upon line 83 of Figure 2, and

Figure l is a horizontal sectional view upon line 44 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, 5 designates the head light casing and 6 the usual parabolic reflector therein. This reflector is provided as is common, with a. socket- 7 for an, electric bulb 8. The dimming device comprises a shield 9 which is pivoted upon the trunnions 10 and 11 to swing from the full line position in Figure 1 to the dotted line position. In the latter position the shield acts to dim the light both by intercepting some of the rays which would pass straight from the lamp and by intercepting other rays which would strike the parabolic reflector 6' and be thrown forwardly from the lamp. When the dimming device is not in use this shield 9 lies in the full line position illustrated .in Figure 1 and so completely conforms to the shape of the reflector 6 at that point that it fits snugly against and constitutes a part of the reflector.

Movement may be imparted to the shield to move it to the dotted line position of Figure l by the mechanism shown, which comprises acrank 12 on trunnion 10. This crank carries a wrist pin 13, which engages in the slot 14 of the lever 15. This lever comprises a horizontal part 16 which is pivoted at its end 17 to the post 18. A

l he'trunnions wand 11 hearing blocks 22 =a-nd23 which are fastened compression spring 19, which "is adjustable by mean-s ot screw 20, tends to thrust the horizontal portion ofthe lever a-way fromthe magnet 21 and in sodoing to move the parts to the full 'line position 'of Figure "1 or the position wherein the shield "is elevated. mi lion the magnet 21 is energizeth it attracts the lever -16 and ino'vcsthe crank to the dotted line position of Figure 1 *whiclrhasthe eii'ect of throwing the shield downwardly to V dimming posltion.

4 k It is noted thattheduagnet- 2*1 s so'located with 'respectto the pivot point 1.7that a comparatively small mow much longer movement of the slotted portion pin are sitpjported in to the outer face of the wall of the reflector. The trunnion 11 is threaded into its block and is removable to release the reflector for purposes of cleaning, repair, etc. The bearing block 22 is made in two pieces and is held together by screws 24. Thus, by removing the screws 2% and by removing the trunnion 11, the shield may be taken out for the purposes indicated. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction set forth for many changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Since the device is electrically controlled it follows that a control switch. may be located on the dash of the automobile and all of the controlling action maybe eli ected from the drivers seat. For

cushioning the action of the parts, one for determining the extent of throw of the shield I have disposed a cushioning pad 25 in the path of movement of the slotted portion of the lever. This pad is carried by a plate 26 the position of which is adjusted by a screw 27 from the exterior of the lamp casing 5. Thus the extent of throw of the parts and consequently the degree of dimming, may be adjusted from the exterior of the lamp casing.

Among the advantages of this device are the following: The dimmer when not in use lies behind the lamp and becomes a part of the main reflector and will'not deflect nor obstruct the reflection of light at that time. Since the dimmer is behind the lamp it is practically invisible except when used for dimming and since it is pivoted at its extreme corner may be made to fit any of the corrugated or ridged reflectors, now in use. Since the shield is hinged to the reflector below the center, no side reflection is produced. The adjustment provided by screw 27 permits the degree of dimming to be gauged at all times so that one may have the degree of light on the road ahead of the car, suited to the existing conditions. Since the dimmer is held in inoperative position under the action of a spring, it follows that no rattling can occur. Since the shape of this dimmer is the same as the main reflector it will not completely kill all light from the lamp when extended, but will, instead, act as a reflector to throw the light ahead of the car. It can be adjusted to throw the light only high enough to cover the road and not into the eyes of oncoming drivers.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination with a lamp casing, a reflector therein, a shield shaped to conform to the reflector, and lying snugly against the rear portion thereof, transverse trunnions for the shield, a crank carried by one of said trunnions, a movable lever engaged with said crank, a magnet for moving said lever, a cushioning element for limiting the throw ofthe shield and means for adjusting the position of said cushioning element.

2. A structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for adjusting the position of said cushioning element comprises a screw accessible from the exterior of the lamp casing.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a lamp casing of a reflector therein, a shield shaped to conform to the reflector and lying snugly against the rear portion thereof, transverse trunnions for the shield, a crank carried by one of said t-runnions, a lever pivoted at one end and having its other end slotted to engage with said crank, a magnet disposed at a point intermediate the ends of the lever and much closer to its pivoted end than to its slotted end, and a spring means tending to thrust the lever away from the magnet.

In testimony whereof she affixes her signature in the presence of two witnesses.

, KATIE L. SMILEY. 

